He grows love of agriculture

May 8, 2008

Class: I teach agricultural science, sixth through 12th grade, at T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School in Pierson.

Education and experience: I earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural education at Auburn University. I earned a master's degree at Kansas State University in educational administration and leadership. For the past 18 years I have taught agriculture at middle and secondary levels in Florida and at the post-secondary level in Kansas. I have served as an FFA adviser for 13 years during my teaching tenure.

Family: I have been married to Charlotte Hearn for 15 years. We have a 12-year-old son, J.T. Hearn, and a 10-year-old daughter, Kathryn Hearn.

Reason for teaching: I was very involved in the FFA [previously known as Future Farmers of America] during high school. I exhibited cattle, sheep and hogs, I judged on the soils, livestock and dairy cattle evaluation teams, and I served as a chapter officer each year. Additionally, I worked as an electrician's helper throughout high school. As a result of the electrical work, I was selected as a national top-four finalist in agricultural electrification proficiency my senior year. I also earned the American Farmer Degree, the highest FFA honor. I knew that I loved the FFA and agricultural education so much that I had to become an agricultural teacher, a great agricultural teacher. I set that goal for myself between Thanksgiving and Christmas my freshman year in high school, and I have been working toward it ever since. Am I there yet? I don't think so, but I will keep working at it until I feel that I get it right.

Greatest moment as a teacher: Helping a student from a very rough background become successful -- unlike his brothers in a state penitentiary. I encouraged him to become involved with FFA and show cattle. After his graduation, I accepted a different teaching job and lost touch with him. About eight years later I was on a forestry-teacher tour at a lumber mill, and to my delight I ran into this young man, now a husband, father of three, homeowner and landlord. He was a shift manager. He told me that he had followed his interest in agriculture to this job. He also shared that he was very thankful for the time and effort I gave him during high school. He said it kept him from dropping out and following in his brothers' footsteps. That day in the mill, I came to realize just what teaching success was: Not whether a student scored an A on an exam or even graduated with honors -- it was about shaping young people into productive citizens.

Most embarrassing moment: The most embarrassing moment in my career happened when I and three other agricultural teachers were sitting around a table of tree samples at a district FFA forestry career development event. We were trying to identify a sample. We, the teachers, disagreed on what it was. I said: "I'm not a plant guy, but this is not related to a magnolia." Later, while I researched the plant, I realized that I had indeed identified the specimen incorrectly and that it was in the same genus as the magnolia.

Least favorite part of teaching: Unfortunately, I spend 30 to 40 percent of my time dealing with documentation rather that interacting with students. Society has deemed paperwork necessary for me to do my job.

Whom do you admire most and why? It would have to be my mom and dad, Ruth and Frazier Hearn. Although mom is gone now, I admire her for her devotion. She spent every waking moment ensuring that we, her children, had whatever we needed. Not only the basics, food, clothing and shelter, but also the love and encouragement we needed to find our way into our chosen careers and our own families. I admire my father for the work ethic and mechanical skill he instilled in me. Since I was a toddler, he had me beside him every chance he could. I remember rebuilding an engine when I was 4. I rewired a house when I was 8 and was driving a tractor and welding by the time I was 12. He was a stickler about the quality of work that we produced. I can still remember several times that I had to redo some projects because they did not meet his high standards of excellence.

Favorite movies: The Cowboys starring John Wayne, Heartbreak Ridge starring Clint Eastwood and Stripes starring Bill Murray

Last book you read? Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Hobbies: I am a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 506 in DeLeon Springs. I spend a lot of time hiking, fishing, backpacking, canoeing and other outdoor activities. I also serve as the Volusia County 4-H rifle team coach. I am active with Northwest Volusia Little League, coaching baseball and softball and serving as a board member. I compete in action-pistol contests, and I shoot skeet.

If you weren't a teacher, what career would you choose and why?

I would probably have pursued a career in engineering if I had not become a teacher. I truly like to solve problems. I am mechanically inclined and like to create and produce items that solve mechanical issues.

Was there a special teacher that you remember? There were several, but the one that made the largest impact in my personal and professional life was my high school agriculture teacher, Dan Porterfield at Beauregard High School in Opelika, Ala. Mr. Porterfield, as we called him in high school, was a great teacher. He had a passion for what he did, and he passed that on to his students. We would have done anything to please him. He was a firm and fair person who had high expectations of everyone. I truly respect him and thank him for the positive influence he has had on me.

Kyle Hearn is the T. DeWitt Taylor Middle-High School Teacher of the Year.

Volusia public and private school teachers will be profiled throughout the year. E-mail Eileen Marie Simoneau at vteachspot@mac.com or call her at 386-561-7356 or fax 386-851-7918. Include your name, phone number and a reason why you would like to see this teacher profiled.